Improvement in spade-bayonets



iltitrd gime i. zum Mira EDMUND RICE, OF UNITED STATES ARMY.

Letters Patent No. 91,564, dated Tune 22, 1869.

IMPROVEMENT IN SPADE-BAYONETS.

The Schedule referred to in these Letters Patent and making part of thesame.

To all whom 'it may concern.-

Be it known that LEDMUND RICE, brevet lieutenant colonel United StatesArmy, have invented a new and improved Bayonet and Tompion and I dohereby declare that the following is afull and exact descriptionthereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to theletters of description marked thereon, in whichy v Figure 1 is a frontview of the bayonet.

Figure 2 is a rear view of the bayonet.

Figure 3 is an end view of the bayonet, looking against its point.

Figure 4 is a view of shank of bayonet, with fixed finger-guard andtompion.

A is the socket ofthe bayonet.'

A' is the shank of the bayonet.

a is the muzzle of the bayonet, fitting over the gun.

B is a spade, attached to shank A'.

C is a projecting rib on back, to strengthen the blade.

l) D are anges, turned on lower end of blade.

E is a swivel, to support F.

F, a finger-guard.

fis a hinge, connecting tompion with swivel.

G is the tompion.

H is a slot in blade, to receive end` of F.

In Figure 4, F is a stationary or xed ngerguard. l

It is well known that the bayonet, as at present constructed, is of verylittle practical service in warfare, as, on account ot' the deadlycharacter of ritles now in use, it is impossible, except in very rarecases, for opposing forces to come so near to each other as to crossbayonets.

It is also well known, that by throwing up an earth- Work, of'a very fewinches in height, and, especially,

by excavating in the earth ditches, of just suicient depth to allow themen to lic on their faces or backs, and not be above the level of theground in which the ditches ar'e dug, troops may remain a long timeexposed to the enemys fire without serious loss, as the shot will bethrown over them; or, striking the earth in front, ricochet over them.

- These earthworks may be thrown up, or the ditches dug, in a very fewminutesin less time than will be required by the enemy to get the rangeof the troops if each man is provided with a small spade or trowel, tobe used for that purpose.

The nature of my invention consists in substituting for the spade Atrowel B, so that it may be used in excavating, whileat the same time,it may be used in piercing, when necessary; and, in providing it with atompion, that cannot be lo'st or detached,land will prevent the earthfrom entering the muzzle of the piece, when digging.

To enable others skilled in the art to make and use my Iinvention, Iwill proceed to describe its construction and operation.

I make the socket A (or part that goes over the muzzle of the musket) inany manner in which it generally is constructed.

The shank A', also, is made of any usual form.

From the shank arises the blade B, which, instead of being made of anyof the forms now in' use, is made wider and shorter, so as to form aspade or trowel.

The most convenient length is about eight and onehalf inches, and width,at widest part, about three and one-half or four inches, and the shapenearly that represented in the drawing.

The exact size" and proportion may be varied, as experience may suggest,the object being to make of the bayonet a tool for excavating earth.

The lower edge should haveY a small flange, as at D D, or otherwise madeblunt, so that it cannot cut the hand of the soldier, and will preventthe earth from sliding back over that edge. The other edges should besharp, that, in case ot' necessity, the bayonet may be used forthrusting and piercing, in a charge or in defence.

To strengthen the weapon, a rib, G, may be formed on the back, whichwill not add materially to its weight.

The bayonet, thus constructed, may be used for excavating, either whenattached. to the musket, or by itself.

In the former case, it is desirable to have the muzzle a of the piececlosed, so as to prevent the ingress of dirt. For this purpose, I attachto the bayonet a tompion, constructed in the following manner:

Near the socket A, I make, in the shank A', a hole, in which I insertand secure a swivel, E. With the upper end of this, by hinge f, isconnected the guard F, constructed of a fiat or rounded piece of metal,of such a shape as to form, when turned toward the blade, a guard forthe finger which clasps the shank A', when digging wit-hout the musket'.

The free-end enters a slot, H, in the blade, which holds it in place.

On this guard is fastened a tompion, Gr, made of India rubber, cork,wood, or other suitable material, and of such a shape and size as to tthe muzzle of the piece.

To insert the tompion in the muzzle, turn the guard F on the swivel E,as an axis, until it comes out of the slot H, and then turn it backwardon the hinge j', and sideways on the swivel E, until it enters themuzzle.

It is evident that this tompion may be attached to any bayonet, and isuseful not only to prevent earth from entering the muzzle, but for allpurposes for whichv at both ends, and the tompion may be hinged to the:

guard by hinge f.

The advantages of my improvement 'are stated in the first part of thisspecification. I Its cost will little if at all exceed the cost of thebaynets now'made, and which are cf little or no practical use; andt Willnot be heavier than they, while mine may be the means of saving manylives, as an instrument of defence, While no less useful as a weapon ofattack.

In addition to these advantages, the improved bayonet may, when not onthe "mnsket, be so worn as to serve as a shield to the' side of theabdomen, and thus protect the most vital part while in battle.

What I claim as xnyinve'ntion, and desire to secure by Letters Patent,is-

l. The spade B,-when provided with a socket, A,

*and shank A', as described, adapted to and combined with the muzzle ofa musket, as set forth.

2. 'The finger-guard F, connected atene end Ywith f. Y

